Public relations major Amber Bauer is among many Ball State students spending the summer as an intern, but she has landed a coveted position at the place that inspired her career choice. Bauer competed with 300 applicants from across the country to get accepted to an internship program at the Jackson Laboratory in Maine; a program that has graduated two Nobel Prize doctors.
Jon Geiger, head of educational programs at the laboratory, said the laboratory picks its summer semester students through an application process and that, many times, those students come back to work at the laboratory after college.
"Some of the scientists have been summer semester students when they were younger," Geiger said.
Jackson Laboratory, founded by geneticist Clarence Cool Little, has been running for 75 years and studies the genetic orientation of diseases and disorders. Jackson Laboratory geneticists use mice to research the genetic basis of human development and diseases. Knowledge gained through the research has become key in the world of science.
Because she has a love of science but not of laboratory work, Bauer decided to major in advertising. With the help of journalism professor Sheryl Swingly, Bauer said she realized that there were other ways to be involved in the science community.
"I thought a career in science wasn't an option," Bauer said. "However, after learning about the internship at the Jackson Laboratory, I discovered that there was this whole career that I never knew about: science writing."
After dropping her advertising major and picking up a biology minor, Bauer turned to science writing as an option and began looking to the Jackson Laboratory for a possible internship.
"When it was time to apply for internships, I knew that I wanted to be at the Jackson Laboratory," Bauer said. "It was the only place I could imagine spending my internship summer."
At the Jackson Laboratory, Bauer works at the Public Information Department, which falls under the heading of External Relations. Her daily work includes networking with professional science writers at the laboratory and with national and international media during press week.
Bauer also writes hometown news releases for the other summer interns that highlight their achievements at the laboratory and describe what they have been doing over their summer internship.
In addition to these responsibilities, the laboratory has asked Bauer to help write a grant for education funding that is due in August.
"This should prove to be a valuable experience because I have been told that many professional science writers have grant writing on their r+â-¬sum+â-¬s." Bauer said.
Since this is the laboratory's 75th year, Bauer will work on a project to celebrate the anniversary.
"I will most likely be writing a few historical features for the Bangor Daily News' special anniversary pullout section," Bauer said. "The special anniversary pullout will be published in early September. "
After the 11-week program, Bauer will graduate during their August 16 symposium.
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